The Grotto is an UNDERGROUND WATERFALL, ABOUT 20 FEET TALL, LOCATED IN A ROOM UNDER A GIANT BOULDER
HEY FELLOW MONKEYS: LET'S GET WET--HIKE AND CLIMB THE NUMEROUS WATERFALLS ABOVE AND (a few) BELOW THE GROTTO AT CIRCLE X RANCH-- OUR LOCAL WATERFALL PARADISE!
EXPECT LOTS OF BOULDERING!!!! AND BEAUTIFUL SCENERY
WHERE: Circle X ranch Grotto trailhead, in the western Santa Monica Mountains
WHEN: from 12 to 4 pm (if you want to eat lunch here, arrive at 11:30. My hikes usually start at ten minutes past the posted start time, so we will start at the latest at 12:10 pm.
PLENTY OF SHADE!!!
50 persons maximum, and 12 cars, according to park service rules.
IF YOU DO NOT CARPOOL, I am legally required to make funny faces at you.
CARPOOLING SUGGESTION: (A GOOD SPOT TO MEET FOR CARPOOLING IS ON PCH ACROSS FROM NEPTUNE'S NET (AT YERBA BUENA ROAD). THEN DRIVE UP THE HILL 5 MILES TO THE PARKING LOT. Park in the lot with the sign saying "Circle X Ranch". There is a ranger building by the roadside.
THERE ARE THREE LEVELS OF DIRT PARKING LOTS HERE. IF THE LOWEST IS FULL, GO TO THE MIDDLE ONE. IF THAT IS FULL, PARK AT THE TOP BY THE RANGER BUILDING
BRING: 3 QUARTS OF WATER, A HAT, SUNSCREEN, COMFORTABLE SHOES WHICH YOU DON'T MIND GETTING WET, AND SNACKS
POISON OAK WARNING---Yes, there is some of it here below the Grotto. So if you are succeptible to it, wear long pants and shirt. I WILL POINT IT OUT WHEN I SEE IT! Right Now, the poison oak has no leaves on it, leaves which usually make it easy to identify. So if you do not know what it looks like, ASK ME
